Electronic scorer



June 23, 1964 c. D. SMITH- ELECTRONIC SCORER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 26 INVENTOR Mfl June 23, 1964 c. D. SMITH 3,137,949

ELECTRONIC SCORER Filed March 26, 1962 H 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FlG 2 I 5 F F 6 A INVENTOR June 23, 1964 C. D. SMITH ELECTRONIC SCORER Filed March 26, 1962 FIG 5 FIG 6 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 23, 1964 c. D. SMITH 3,137,949

ELECTRONIC SCORER Filed March 26, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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June 23, 1964 c. D. SMlTH 3,137,949

ELECTRONIC SCORER Filed March 26, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 O QFU INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,137,949 ELECTRONIC SCORER Carl D. Smith, Adams Township, Lucas County, Ohio (3107 Dorr St., Toledo 7, Ohio) Filed Mar. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 182,297 4 Claims. (Cl. 3548) This invention relates generally to an electronic scorer for scoring multiple-choice or true-false tests, and more particularly to a portable classroom device for totalling individually the number of right and wrong answers electronically.

One object of this invention is to provide a sheet of electrodes capable of contacting individual marks made by a soft-lead pencil, on an appropriate answer sheet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a scanning mechanism to investigate consecutive answer positions shown on the answer sheet.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a differentiating system to individually total right and wrong answers.

Other objects of this invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, the principle of this invention and the best mode which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

FIGURE #1 shows the external appearance of the device.

FIGURE #2 shows a portion of the answer sheet employed, this being any good grade of paper such as that commonly used for typing or mimeographing.

FIGURE #3 is a sheet of insulation, having a plurality of sensing electrodes corresponding to the answer positions located on the answer sheet.

FIGURE #4 is a detailed drawing of one of the sensing electrodes.

FIGURE #5 shows the physical position of a sensing electrode in the right answer position.

FIGURE #6 shows the physical position of a sensing electrode in the wrong answer position.

FIGURE #7 is an internal view of the device, showing the answer key in position and the scanning mechanism.

FIGURE #8 shows a composite answer key, consisting of a metal foil sheet and an insulation underlay. Right answer positions are perforated.

FIGURE #9 is a schematic drawing of the electrical circuit operating the scanner motor, and associated electronic circuitry necessary to count right and wrong answers.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIGURE #1 discloses a pictorial view of my electronic scorer, in which the numeral 1 represents the cover member. The upstanding member 2 provides a guide for the test sheet, FIGURE #2, shown more clearly in position over the sensing electrodes in FIGURE #3. The dial 5 indicates the number of wrong answers and the dial 7 indicates the number of righta nswers. Numbers 6 and 8 are indicator lights connected to the wrong and right counters respectively. Number 4 is the start-cycle pushbutton. Number 9 shows the counter reset button.

FIGURE #2 discloses a portion of an answer sheet 11 on which the person being tested has placed answer marks. The line is drawn with a soft-lead pencil, connecting the points indicated as the extremities of position A, B, C or D.

Predetermination of right answers is accomplished by punching holes 18 in the answer key in the proper positions. This key sheet, FIGURE #8, is then inserted in the machine and locked in place with locking bars 23 by means of locking lever 22. The machine is then connected to any conventional electrical outlet.

To answer the questions offered in sheet or booklet form, the person being tested connects the dots on either side of the position of his choice, using a soft-lead pencil, these marks being made on the answer sheet, FIGURE #2. Having completed the necessary markings to indicate his choice of answers to any or all questions, he places his answer sheet face-down on a sheet of insulation containing a plurality of sensing electrodes 12 and 14. The answer sheet is aligned by guide 2 and pressure is applied by sponge-rubber sheet 1, when the cover is closed, thereby insuring proper contact between pencil mark answers and sensing electrodes. The pressure sheet is locked in position during the counting operation by lever-latch 3.

The scanner arm 25, applying pressure to the stop-cycle switch 29, renders the scanner motor 27 inoperative. Operation of the machine is initiated by momentarily depressing the start-cycle button 4, which energizes scanner motor 27 to start the cycle. Scanner arm 25 makes one complete rotation and is stopped when it engages stopcycle switch 29, completing the cycle.

Rectifier 33 and filter condenser 34 form a direct-current power supply. Voltage divider network 35, 36 and 37 causes a near-cutotf bias on both counter tubes, and also applies a low-voltage potential to scanner arm 25. As scanner arm 25 rotates, wiper arm 26 applies this potential momentarily to each consecutive contact 28. Each contact 28 is connected to a transmitter electrode 12 at answer position A, B, C or D. The potential applied to transmitter electrode 12 is conducted to collector electrode 14 by means of the lead-pencil answer mark. If the position marked is a correct answer, the potential is then applied by means of contact spring 15 through answer key perforation 18 to right answer plate 21. This plate is connected electrically to right answer counter 7, by means of electron tube 44 and plate relay 43. Counters used are of the electromagnetic type similar to those built by Veeder-Root Company and others. The momentary application of potential to right answer plate 21 causes electron tube 44 to conduct increased plate current due to a change in bias. This increased plate current energizes relay 42, causing it to count one right answer.

FIGURE 6 shows a position for a wrong answer, in which case the pulse is conducted to the wrong answer sheet, causing the wrong answer counter to advance one digit by the same method.

As is discernible from FIGURE #6, all answer positions not perforated in the answer key are automatically intercepted by the top metal layer of the key and diverted to the wrong answer section of electron tube 44 and thence to the wrong answer counter. As a result, it is impossible to cheat the machine by marking more than one answer position for each question.

During one complete rotation, scanner arm 25 and wiper 26 analyze all answer positions A, B, C, and D corresponding to each numbered question and the total number of correct and incorrect answers registered on the appropriate counters.

While I have described one embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications therein can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A test scoring machine for an examination sheet having pencil lines indicating a choice of answers, a single motor-driven rotating scarier arranged to successively contact a plurality of contact points located in a fiat insulating surface, a set of sensing points located in a flat insulated surface, a plurality of electrical conductors arranged so that each of said plurality of electrical conductors connects one of said contact points to one of said sensing points, a second set of sensing points, each of said second set of sensing points located in close proximity to one of said first sensing points, a pressure sheet adapted to keep an examination answer sheet in contact with said first sensing points and said second sensing points, an answer key comprising a sheet of electrically conductive material, said answer key having holes punched therein indicating the correct answer positions, a second sheet of electrically conductive material insulated from said first sheet of electrically conductive mtaerial, a plurality of spring loaded contact points, one of each of said spring loaded contact points connected to one of each of said second sensing points, all of said spring loaded contact points that are located in said correct answer positions extending through said holes in said answer key to said second sheet of electrically conductive material, all of said spring loaded contact points that are located in the incorrect answer positions engaging said first layer of electrically conductive material, a correct answer counter, a solenoid operatively connected to said correct answer counter, said solenoid adapted to operate said correct answer counter and tally a correct answer every time said scanner contacts one of said contact points that is connected to a circuit which is closed by the combination of one of said spring loaded contact points extending through one of said holes in said answer key to said second sheet of electrically conductive material and one of said pencil lines located in one of the correct answer positions on said examination sheet, an incorrect answer counter, a second solenoid operatively connected to said incorrect answer counter, said second solenoid adapted to operate said incorrect answer counter and tally an incorrect answer each time said scanner contacts one of said contact points that is connected to a circuit which is closed by the combination of one of said spring loaded contact points which are in engagement with said first sheet of electrically conductive material and one of said pencil lines located in one of the incorrect answer positions on said examination sheet.

2. A machine for scanning and totalizing correct and incorrect answers on an examination sheet having pencil marks indicating a choice of answers comprising, a scanner adapted to successively contact a plurality of contact points, a set of sensing points located in a fiat insulating sheet, a plurality of electrical conductors, one of each of said electrical conductors connecting one of said plurality of contact points to one of said sensing points, a second set of sensing points located in close proximity to said first set of sensing points, an answer key provided with holes therein in the correct answer positions, said key comprising a layer of conductive material, a plurality of spring loaded contact points, one of each of said spring loaded contact points connected to one of each of said second sensing points, one of each of said spring loaded contact points located in a possible answer position, said spring loaded contact points located in said correct answer positions extending through said holes in said answer key to a sheet of conductive material insulated from said layer of conductive material, said spring loaded contact points located in the incorrect answer positions extending to said layer of conductive material, a correct answer counter, a means including an electronic circuit from said sheet of conductive material operating said correct answer counter when one of said pencil marks is recorded in one of said correct answer positions on said examination sheet, an incorrect answer counter and a second means including an electronic circuit from said layer of conductive material operating said incorrect answer counter when one of said pencil marks is in the incorrect answer position on said examination sheet.

3. A machine for scanning and totalizing an examination answer sheet having pencil marks indicating a students choice of answers comprising, a scanner adapted to successively contact a plurality of contact points l0- cated in a fiat insulating surface, a set of sensing points located in a fiat insulating surface, a plurality of electrical conductors, one of each of said electrical conductors connecting one of said plurality of contact points to one of said sensing points, a second set of sensing points located in said flat insulating surface in close proximity to said first set of sensing points, said examination answer sheet located coextensive to said fiat insulating surface so that a pencil mark in any possible answer position provides a conductor etween one of said first set of sensing points and one of said second set of sensing points, an answer key provided with holes therein in the correct answer positions, a plurality of spring loaded contact points, one of each of said spring loaded contact points connected to one of each of said second set of sensing points, one of said plurality of spring loaded contact points extending through each of said holes in said answer key to a common sheet conductor adjacent one face of said key, a correct answer counter, an electronic means operating said correct answer counter, an electrical conductor extending from said common sheet conductor to said electronic means, said electronic means adapted to actuate said correct answer counter when a circuit is closed by one of said pencil marks recorded in the correct answer position on said examination answer sheet, said scanner, one of said contact points and one of said spring loaded contact points extending to said common sheet conductor, a second common conductor adjacent the other face of said key, all of said spring loaded contact points located in wrong answer positions extending to said second common conductor, an incorrect answer counter, and a second electronic means operating said incorrect answer counter, an electrical conductor extending from said second common conductor to said second electronic means, said second electronic means adapted to actuate said incorrect answer counter when a circuit is closed by one of said pencil marks in the incorrect answer position on said examination sheet, said scanner, one of said contact points and one of said spring loaded contact points extending to said second common conductor.

4. A machine for scanning and totalizing multiple choice examination sheets having pencil marks indicating a choice of answers comprising, a single rotating scanner adapted to successively contact a plurality of contact points, each of said contact points connected to a separate sensing point by means of an electrical conductor, an answer key provided with holes therein indicating the correct answers, a sheet conductor adjacent the lower face of said answer key, a plurality of spring loaded contact points, one of said spring loaded contact points located in each possible answer position, a plurality of electrical conductors extending from said spring loaded contact points to a second set of sensing points, each of said conductors connecting one of said spring loaded contact points to one of said second set of sensing points, said spring loaded contact points located in the correct answer position extending through said holes in said answer key to said sheet conductor, an examination answer sheet located adjacent said sensing points in such a fashion that a conductive pencil mark in any answer position on said examination sheet connects one of said first sensing points to one of said second set of sensing points, a correct answer counter, a solenoid operatively connected to said correct answer counter, a conductor extending from said sheet conductor to said solenoid, a source of electrical energy whereby said solenoid is energized and a correct answer tallied by said correct answer counter when a circuit is closed by said scanner, one of said spring loaded contact points extending through one of said holes, one of said pencil marks located in a correct answer position, said sheet conductor and said conductor extending to said solenoid, all of said spring loaded contact points located in the incorrect answer positions extending to a second sheet conductor adjacent the upper surface of said answer key, an incorrect answer counter, a second solenoid operatively connected to said incorrect answer counter, a second conductor extending from said second sheet conductor to said second solenoid, said source of electrical energy adapted to energize said second solenoid and thereby operate said incorrect answer counter and tally an incorrect answer when a circuit is closed by said scanner, one of said spring loaded contact points extending to said second sheet conductor, one of said pencil marks located in the corresponding incorrect answer position, said second sheet conductor and said second conductor extending from said second sheet conductor to said second solenoid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,113,620 Johnson Apr. 12, 1938 2,150,256 Warren Mar. 14, 1939 2,272,411 Johnson Mar. 10, 1942 2,275,590 Johnson Mar. 10, 1942 2,310,437 Johnson Feb. 9, 1943 2,353,061 Oldenboom July 4, 1944 2,598,155 Betts May 27, 1952 

1. A TEST SCORING MACHINE FOR AN EXAMINATION SHEET HAVING PENCIL LINES INDICATING A CHOICE OF ANSWERS, A SINGLE MOTOR-DRIVEN ROTATING SCANER ARRANGED TO SUCCESSIVELY CONTACT A PLURALITY OF CONTACT POINTS LOCATED IN A FLAT INSULATING SURFACE, A SET OF SENSING POINTS LOCATE IN A FLAT INSULATED SURFACE, A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS ARRANGED SO THAT EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS CONNECTS ONE OF SAID CONTACT POINTS TO ONE OF SAID SENSING POINTS, A SECOND SET OF SENSING POINTS, EACH OF SAID SECOND SET OF SENSING POINTS LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ONE OF SAID FIRST SENSING POINTS, A PRESSURE SHEET ADAPTED TO KEEP AN EXAMINATION ANSWER SHEET IN CONTACT WITH SAID FIRST SENSING POINTS AND SAID SECOND SENSING POINTS, AN ANSWER KEY COMPRISING A SHEET OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, SAID ANSWER KEY HAVING HOLES PUNCHED THEREIN INDICATING THE CORRECT ANSWER POSITIONS, A SECOND SHEET OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL INSULATED FROM SAID FIRST SHEET OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, A PLURALITY OF SPRING LOADED CONTACT POINTS, ONE OF EACH OF SAID SPRING LOADED CONTACT POINTS CONNECTED TO ONE OF EACH OF SAID SECOND SENSING POINTS, ALL OF SAID SPRING LOADED CONTACT POINTS THAT ARE LOCATED IN SAID CORRECT ANSWER POSITIONS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOLES IN SAID ANSWER KEY TO SAID SECOND SHEET OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, ALL OF SAID SPRING LOADED CONTACT POINTS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE INCORRECT ANSWER POSITIONS ENGAGING SAID FIRST LAYER OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, A CORRECT ANSWER COUNTER, A SOLENOID OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CORRECT ANSWER COUNTER, SAID SOLENOID ADAPTED TO OPERATE SAID CORRECT ANSWER COUNTER AND TALLY A CORRECT ANSWER EVERY TIME SAID SCANNER CONTACTS ONE OF SAID CONTACT POINTS THAT IS 